Chances are you have heard of transition lenses; lenses that change from eyeglasses to sunglasses just by walking outside and exposing them to the sun. No, your friends who have them are not some sort of expert magician, but they do have pretty intricate optical technology woven directly into their specs.
The initial “in awe” moment of seeing a lens transition from transparent to opaque, however, quickly dissipates into one yearning question. How exactly do these transition lenses work?
Continue reading to learn about the science behind transition lenses, how they work and who can really benefit from them.
What Are Transition Lenses?
Transition lenses are a high-quality form of photochromic lens that blocks out harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun. But what exactly are photochromic lenses?
Photochromic lenses are “light-adaptive” lenses, which, when exposed to UV light, cause photochromic molecules in dyes in the lenses to change their structure. This causes the lenses to tint slowly, shielding the eyes from UV light just like other sunglasses. These molecules change structure proportionally to the amount of UV light that passes through the lenses, so the lens will only darken as much as they need to to provide you with comfortable vision.
Will My Transition Lenses Change Indoors?
Because photochromic lenses like Transitions react only to UV light (other than Transitions XTRActive), your lenses won’t adapt in indoor lighting (such as that found in a car or building) but instead will remain clear.
The Benefits of Anti-Reflective Coatings
Applying an anti-reflective coating to transitions or photochromic lenses also allows for sharper vision in lower light situations, which can be handy if your work environment is poorly lit, or you are a frequent night-time driver.
Why Should I Consider Transition Lenses?
Transitions can replace the need for you to carry around a separate pair of sunglasses to combat UV lighting and sunny conditions. Transitions automatically adjust to the perfect tint to protect your eyes in any lighting situation, whereas prescription sunglasses are not dynamic and only offer one tint, which may not be ideal for all situations.
Transition lenses can also be a great option for individuals who are highly sensitive to light. Overexposure to bright light can lead to headaches and migraines, and photochromic lenses like Transitions can help you avoid bright lighting situations.
Transitions will have you covered in most lighting situations and prevent you from having to squint when doing activities in bright outdoor settings.
Types Of Transition Lenses & Their Unique Benefits
Transition lenses come in 3 subtypes so that you can choose a style that best meets your visual needs. It’s also important to note that Transition lenses can be single vision, bifocal and multifocal, or progressives.
Transitions Generation 8:
Generation 8s are the fastest light adaptive lenses on the market, transitioning from different environments swiftly. These lenses can transition up to 30% quicker than standard Transition signature lenses.
Transitions XTRActive:
XTRActive lenses are designed for those who require a mild tint indoors, and a darker tint than standard Transitions when outdoors, making them ideal for individuals who spend lots of time outdoors in direct sunlight.
XTRActive lenses tint in response to both UV light and indoor lighting situations, which allows for more versatility through an assortment of different lighting conditions and environments.
Transitions Vantage
Transitions Vantage is a truly unique style of Transitions lenses. These lenses start to polarize as they are exposed to greater amounts of sunlight, which helps cut down glare and reflective conditions so you can enjoy clearer visuals.
ACUVUE Oasys With Transitions
Transitions newest and most revolutionary product, ACUVUE Oasys With Transitions blend the comfort and versatility of contact lenses with Transitions technology. These contact lenses allow you to say goodbye to glasses entirely, making them an ideal choice for individuals who play high impact sports such as hockey, soccer, and football.
Transitions for Every Situation
Transitions lenses are incredibly versatile and allow you to focus on the moment instead of worrying about your sunglasses. Whether you are out on the golf course or relaxing on the patio with friends, Transitions are here to provide you with a comfortable visual experience no matter what lighting situation you are in.
Each style offers unique benefits, but all Transitions products incorporate the latest photochromic lens technology to allow you to live life to the fullest.